Bob Tacker

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Gloria Tacker; his daughters, Laura Tacker and Sharon Tacker; his son-in-law, Pat Alderete; his cherished granddaughter, Haley Alderete; his sister, Betty McKie, and her husband, Jim McKie; his nephew, Troy McKie, his wife, Shaleena, and their daughter, Jerrica; his brother, Dan Tacker, and his wife, Julie Tacker; his niece, Amy Tacker; and the family of his late brother, Bill Tacker, including his niece, Tanya Tacker, her husband, Travis Lorsung, and their daughter, Olivia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Tacker and Shirley Belle Fulton Tacker; his brother, Bill Tacker; and his nephew, Lee Tacker.

A private Celebration of Life was held by Bob's family. His ashes will be interred at the Socorro Masonic Cemetery.

Whether it was building a business, strengthening a community organization, advancing technology, or encouraging someone to believe in themselves, Bob had a remarkable ability to recognize potential. He believed that knowledge was meant to be shared, opportunities were meant to be created, and success was most meaningful when it was shared with others.

His life was never about collecting titles or recognition. It was about making things better than he found them. That philosophy guided every chapter of his life.

Bob grew up in Fort Morgan, Colorado. As a child, he spent many summers at 7 Lakes in Meeker, Colorado, with his uncle Bob, who was the sheriff, and his aunt Marge. They owned 7 Lakes and ran it as a hunting lodge. Here, he learned to love the outdoors, as well as the value of hard work while helping his aunt and uncle. From an early age, he enjoyed meeting new people—like all the hunters who came to the lodge. Many became regular visitors who came to know Bob well and appreciated his outgoing personality.

As the oldest of four siblings, Bob naturally stepped into a leadership role within his family after his father died when he was 16. His brothers, Bill and Dan, and his sister Betty looked up to him not simply because he was the oldest, but because he was always willing to share what he had learned. He encouraged those around him to dream bigger, think differently, and take chances they might never have taken on their own.

That same encouragement extended to his daughters, granddaughter, students, colleagues, employees, friends, and countless others whose paths crossed his over the years. Bob had a unique gift for helping people believe they could accomplish more than they imagined.

Bob was in high school in Fort Morgan, Colorado, while Gloria was in high school in Kersey, Colorado. A friend of Bob's, Bill, ended up in Gloria's senior class. Bill agreed to use his convertible as one of the king and queen's court cars in the homecoming parade, but then he wrecked it the week before homecoming. Bill asked Bob if he would loan him his convertible and received an answer similar to, "Not in this lifetime! You just wrecked yours. Why would you think I'd loan you mine?"

In the end, Bob drove his own car, and Gloria ended up riding in it. They started dating that same weekend and remained together for nearly 65 years.

Bob graduated from Fort Morgan High School and attended the University of Colorado, where he studied civil engineering. Bob and Gloria were married on March 8, 1963, in Greeley, Colorado. He was hired by IBM in 1965 in Boulder, Colorado, as an assembler and was among the first locally hired employees to travel to Poughkeepsie for training.

While Bob and Gloria's life would take them far beyond Colorado, the people and places that shaped him there remained an important part of his story. Bob stayed closely connected to his family throughout his life. His brothers, Bill and Dan, his sister Betty, and his mother, Shirley, remained a constant source of love, support, and connection no matter where life took him. Even as he embraced new adventures and experiences around the world, he never lost sight of the importance of family or the relationships that helped shape the man he became.

Bob's career with IBM opened the door to opportunities far beyond Colorado. While working for IBM, Bob and Gloria felt called to serve in a new way. IBM granted Bob a leave of absence so that he could join the Peace Corps, allowing their family to embark on an adventure that would become one of the defining chapters of their lives.

With their daughters, Laura, age 7, and Sharon, just 22 months old, Bob and Gloria traveled halfway around the world to Kenya, East Africa. For more than five years, the Tacker family immersed themselves in a new culture, served others, and embraced a way of life that challenged them, strengthened them, and changed the way they viewed the world. Their years in Kenya were filled with meaningful work, lifelong friendships, and experiences that would remain with them for the rest of their lives.

During their time in Kenya, Bob and Gloria each found meaningful ways to contribute to their new community. Bob started out as a programmer for the University of East Africa and eventually became the Director of the Kenyan Government Computer Center, reporting directly to the Secretary of Labor, who in turn reported to the President of Kenya. While Bob's work focused on advancing technology and solving problems, Gloria found her own way of serving—putting her love of sewing to work with the National Christian Council, helping create employment opportunities for women living in Mathare Valley, one of Nairobi's largest communities.

Service became a family commitment. Laura and Sharon were also sworn in as Peace Corps volunteers, with Sharon becoming the youngest Peace Corps volunteer in history. It was an experience that shaped not only Bob and Gloria's lives, but the lives of their daughters as well.

Life in Kenya was filled with adventure. The family often traveled throughout the country on safaris, exploring Kenya's remarkable landscapes, learning about its wildlife, and developing a deep appreciation for its diverse cultures and people. Those experiences created memories that would be shared around the family table for decades.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Bob developed a passion for mountain climbing. After months of researching and training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 19,341 feet, he was disappointed when illness prevented him from making the ascent. Undeterred, Bob later successfully climbed Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain, reaching an elevation of 17,057 feet. While Gloria, Laura, and Sharon camped at the base waiting for his return, Bob completed the climb — another adventure in a lifetime filled with determination and curiosity.

The years Bob and Gloria spent in Kenya left a lasting impression on their entire family. The experience expanded their understanding of the world, deepened their appreciation for different cultures, and shaped the way they approached life. Bob returned from Africa with more than memories and photographs—he carried with him new ideas, broader perspectives, and a lifelong curiosity that would continue to guide him for decades to come.

We've all had jobs we didn't like, and Bob was no exception. Some of the jobs he liked to joke about included working in a knife-sharpening factory and clearing rocks off empty lots by hand. Like many young couples just starting out, both Bob and Gloria worked while attending school to support their growing family.

Bob's determination and talent steadily opened new doors. He managed a McDonald's restaurant, then became a manager for an agricultural chemical company before beginning his career as a programmer at IBM in Boulder. It was IBM that opened the door for Bob and Gloria to spend five remarkable years serving with the Peace Corps in Kenya — an experience that would shape both their lives and their perspective on service.

After returning from Kenya, Bob accepted a position with True Oil Company in Casper, Wyoming, where he served as the Information Technology Leader. A short time later, another opportunity brought the family to Carrizozo, New Mexico, before Bob found what would become his professional home at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. Over the next thirty-one years, he rose from programmer to Director of Information Services, retiring in 2010 after helping lead the institute through decades of technological change.

Bob's influence extended well beyond the New Mexico Tech campus. He helped modernize technology throughout higher education across New Mexico and was one of the founding members of the Council for Higher Education Computing Services (CHECS), now known as New Mexico Technology in Education (NMTIE). He served two terms as President of CHECS, helping strengthen collaboration among colleges and universities across the state.

His leadership was recognized throughout New Mexico. In 2001, Bob received the Public Service Award from the Rural Economic Development Association, and in 2002 he was honored with the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award. That same year, Governor Gary Johnson appointed Bob to a four-year term on the New Mexico Information Technology Commission. He was subsequently elected to serve a two-year term as Chairman of the Commission, helping guide technology initiatives across the state.

Throughout his career, Bob remained committed to learning, earning degrees in Mathematics and Computer Information Systems. Beyond New Mexico Tech, he served as President of a real estate development company and was a member of the Board of Directors for New Mexico TechNet and Presbyterian Hospital.

But if you asked Bob what mattered most about his career, it wouldn't have been the titles, awards, or technology — it was the people.

He enjoyed giving students in the Information Services Department the opportunity to learn by doing. Many New Mexico Tech students received their first professional experience working under Bob's guidance. He quietly took them under his wing, offering advice, encouragement, and opportunities when they simply needed someone to believe in them. Some went on to build successful careers and businesses of their own. Watching them succeed brought Bob as much joy as any accomplishment of his own.

Bob believed communities don't become great by accident. They become great because ordinary people choose to serve.

Throughout his life, he gave generously of his time. He served the Socorro Chamber of Commerce for many years, including two terms as President. He also served as Chairman of the Economic Improvement Commission while the organization was active. Bob was a member of the Lions Club for 20 years before deciding it was time for a new chapter of service through Rotary International, where he was a member for more than 15 years and also served two terms as President.

One of the roles he treasured most was his service on the Presbyterian Hospital Board of Directors, where he served for 20 years. He was especially proud of the hospital's ability to provide exceptional care to the community while successfully navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also dedicated his time to the Socorro County Republican Party and volunteered with the American Cancer Society.

When people asked why he devoted so much time to community organizations, Bob and Gloria always had the same simple answer: they enjoyed helping their community. They believed these organizations were doing meaningful work, and Bob's lifelong commitment reflected that belief.

Bob and Gloria's life together was built on love, partnership, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace whatever adventure came their way. From the very beginning, they approached life as a team—supporting each other through new experiences, challenges, career changes, and the many unexpected paths their journey brought them.

At the center of everything they did was family. Bob and Gloria's greatest joy came from watching their daughters, Laura and Sharon, grow, learn, and create lives of their own. The experiences they pursued, the choices they made, and the opportunities they created were always guided by their desire to provide a strong foundation for their family. Later, becoming grandparents brought them another source of pride and joy. Their granddaughter, Haley, became a cherished part of their lives, and they embraced every opportunity to share their love, wisdom, and experiences with her.

The spirit of exploration that began during their years in Kenya never left Bob and Gloria. Throughout their life together, they continued discovering the world side by side, eventually visiting all seven continents and more than seventy-five countries. Some of their greatest adventures were shared with a close-knit group of lifelong friends who became like an extended family. Together, they explored new places, experienced different cultures, and created memories that would be treasured for the rest of their lives.

For Bob, experiencing the world was about much more than simply visiting new places. He believed that understanding different cultures and meeting people from all walks of life made him a better husband, father, friend, neighbor, and community leader. Every journey gave him new perspectives, new ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the people and places around him.

Bob and Gloria returned home from their travels with more than photographs and souvenirs. They brought back stories, friendships, and a broader understanding of the world—gifts they shared with their family, friends, and community. Their adventures shaped the way they lived, the way they connected with others, and the way they encouraged those around them to remain curious and open to new possibilities.

Yet no matter how far they traveled, Socorro remained the place they called home. It was where they built their businesses, raised their family, formed lifelong friendships, and became part of a community they loved deeply. The experiences they shared around the world only strengthened their appreciation for the place and people they returned to.

For more than six decades, Bob and Gloria walked through life together—building a family, serving others, embracing adventure, and creating a legacy that continues through the many lives they touched. Although Bob's journey has come to an end, the story they created together continues. Gloria carries forward the memories, values, and love they shared, ensuring that their legacy will continue through their daughters, granddaughter, family, and the countless people whose lives were changed by knowing Bob.

To his family and friends, Bob was much more than his accomplishments. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend. He taught through example — the importance of hard work, compassion, curiosity, responsibility, and service. He showed his family that a meaningful life is built not only through what you accomplish, but through the people you help and the love you leave behind.

His greatest legacy is the family he cherished and the many lives he touched along the way.